n8n, Joute's Review

The essentials

• Open source, self-hostable or cloud workflow automation
• Cloud from $22/month, self-hosted free (infrastructure on you)
• 400+ native integrations, AI nodes included
• Requires technical comfort, especially self-hosted

What is n8n?

n8n is a visual workflow automation tool, comparable to Zapier or Make but with one fundamental difference: the source code is open and you can host it yourself. The interface offers a graph editor where each node is an action (HTTP, database, SaaS service) and each connection is a data flow. AI nodes let you plug LLMs directly into workflows, create agents, and transform data with prompts.

Strengths

Self-hosted with no workflow limits

In self-hosted mode, there's no limit on workflows or executions (beyond server constraints). For a team with a server available, it's free and unlimited.

Maximum flexibility

n8n lets you write JavaScript code in nodes for complex transformations. That's what sets it apart from Zapier: you're not blocked by interface limitations.

Native AI nodes

Text generation, embeddings, AI agents, and chat with memory are available natively. n8n is one of the few automation tools to have seriously integrated agentic capabilities.

Limits

Learning curve in self-hosted

Installation, maintenance, and updates in self-hosted mode require DevOps skills. It's not a tool for non-technical users.

Less polished interface than Make

n8n's editor is functional but less refined than Make.com's. Initial productivity can be lower.

Pricing

Cloud from $22/month for Starter plans. Self-hosted free (server on you). Enterprise plans on request. Check n8n.io for the updated pricing grid.

Alternatives

n8n = flexible open source automation. Alternative Make (make.com) = $10/month, more intuitive interface, less flexible on code. Alternative Zapier (zapier.com) = $18/month, more integrations, zero technical flexibility.

Verdict

n8n is the best choice for a technical team that wants automation without SaaS tool constraints: no execution limits, customizable code, self-hosted possible. If you don't have a server or DevOps skills, Make is more accessible. If you want zero configuration, Zapier.

FAQ

Is n8n really free when self-hosted?

Yes, the code is open source. You pay your infrastructure (server, domain) but no n8n license. The cloud version is paid.

Does n8n support LLMs?

Yes, with native nodes for OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral and others. You can build AI agents directly in your workflows.

What's the difference between n8n and Make?

Both are visual automation tools. n8n is more technical and flexible, Make is more accessible. n8n can be self-hosted, Make cannot.

Is n8n stable in production?

Yes, n8n is used in production by many teams. The cloud version offers SLA guarantees that self-hosted alone cannot provide.

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